Whenever a client reports a slow-running computer, I first look to see which unnecessary programs are loaded at start-up.
The usual suspects include Adobe Reader, Quicktime, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player and several other items of well-known software―all of which take time to load and then proceed to use your PC resources.
In fact, each of the programs mentioned will boot-up automatically if you click on a file which is 'associated' with them, so there is no particular need to have any of these 'sitting in the background'.
Boot-up time is further slowed by software which checks the internet for updates immediately after loading.
You can, of course, clear these items from the list of startup programs but most tend to creep back as automatic software updates are performed.
A related problem is the installation of software that you never asked for in the first place―for example, a download of Adobe Reader will also install the Google Toolbar (a browser add-in) by default unless you happen to notice this and untick the appropriate box.
NB The Google toolbar is not required to use the Google search engine.
I frequently see browsers with a stack of several extra toolbars which simply confuse the user and can sometimes cause 'compatibility' problems when the browser software is updated.
For good measure, some software also changes your browser 'home page' by default.
There is a growing problem with the number of sites which install 'Internet Security' software without any consideration of what may be in place already.
Just because it's good to have internet security software, that doesn't mean that the installation of several similar products is better―these sort of products generally tend to 'conflict' with each other and can easily bring the computer 'grinding to a halt'.
Most recently, a couple of my clients were reporting problems with the Rapport Internet Security software installed 'by default' while setting-up their internet banking services.
Uninstalling said software immediately resolved these issues.
I feel sure that this product is probably as good as any other though a quick Google search reveals many problem reports which most likely arise from conflicts with similar security software already installed.
I would highly recommend the following 'sensible' strategy with regard to software downloads:
1. Pay close attention to software downloads and don't allow any additional software to install 'by default'
2. Don't choose to install any software unless you know exactly what it does and have identified an actual need for it―most users don't need several web browsers, several 'search boxes' or several media players―and they certainly don't need several 'internet security' products
3. Only load the software you actually need at start-up―some software has settings for this but you may also need to clean the list of start-up programs from time to time
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